In the Long Run

A few days ago as I was running in an alley alongside a ravine, I spotted something in the road ahead. Although its camouflage coloring blended in extremely well with the gravel and dirt road, I could still make out a small rabbit crouching very low and still, and looking straight at me. He did not flinch as I ran closer and closer. When I was directly alongside the animal, he suddenly turned and scampered forward in the same direction as I was going. We ran together, side by side, for about 25 feet before the scared rabbit veered off to the side, and down a hill.

“Great!” I laughed to myself. “I run as fast as a baby bunny!” I had even more in common with the baby bunny. Even as he was skittish and nervous, so was I, as I thought about competing in my approaching marathon.

Yesterday I completed my longest training run before the marathon—22 miles. As recommended by the training plan I follow, I ran much more slowly than I do on my weekday runs, supposedly teaching my muscles to conserve fuel, and generate glycogen. So there were no footraces with rabbits yesterday, and the deer I saw left me in the dust.

I’m still skittish and nervous about the marathon, and whether my training has been effective. In three weeks, I'll know the answer. Can I run as fast as a baby bunny for not just 25 feet, but for 26.2 miles?

Posted by Cyppy at 5:02 PM